mainichi: Technical maestro Kyokushuzan ready to shake underachiever tag

["Rowan Klein" <rowanchan@hotmail.com>]

Technical maestro Kyokushuzan ready to shake underachiever tag

EXCLUSIVE

By Ryann Connell Staff Writer

May 7, 2003

Crafty Kyokushuzan, the grappler who led the Mongolian charge changing the 
face of modern sumo, told the Mainichi in an exclusive interview that he's 
as good a chance as anybody of lifting the Emperor's Cup in the May Grand 
Sumo Tournament beginning in Tokyo on Sunday.

"On my day, I can beat anybody. Any number of rikishi are capable of winning 
the tournament. I am one of them. I go out to try and win every bout I take 
part in," the veteran grappler told the Mainichi.

Though most pundits would rate Kyokushuzan as a yusho dark horse at best, 
his good form in recent tourneys (10-5 in March), combined with the 
withdrawal of Yokozuna Musashimaru and tendency for inconsistency among 
other contenders mean the former komusubi can't be entirely ruled out.

Even if not in the race for the title, Kyokushuzan's skills and 
unpredictability always make him a potential threat for grapplers such as 
Ozeki Chiyotaikai, seeking a double-up yusho that would elevate him to 
yokozuna, or compatriot Yokozuna Asashoryu, looking for his first title at 
sumo's highest rank. If the technician gets a hold on an opponent's belt, 
victory is almost a certainty.

But to truly lift the Emperor's Cup, the native of western Mongolia would 
have to overcome a number of hurdles such as those he has already straddled 
to become one of sumo's elite.

Kyokushuzan arrived in Japan in 1992 as a scrawny 72-kilogram 18-year-old 
who earned his ticket here with a good showing among junior Mongolian sumo 
grapplers in Ulan Bator. He was one of six wrestlers invited to Japan, but 
within months was tearfully seeking refuge at the Mongolian Embassy as he 
struggled with homesickness and adapting to the brutally harsh lifestyle 
potential sekitori are put through.

Oshima Stablemaster finally convinced the teen to return to his stable and 
Kyokushuzan threw himself back into the task of joining sumo's elite. His 
efforts paid off. By 1996, he'd joined the elite Makuuchi Division and has 
remained there ever since.

Along the way, Kyokushuzan has earned the title of being sumo's greatest 
technician, having achieved wins using 43 of the 82 techniques the sport 
recognizes -- far more than any other grappler and putting some grace into 
sumo at a time when the powerful shove is the most common form of picking up 
a win. His efforts have been rewarded with three Technique Prizes during his 
career.

"In some ways, being a technician in Japanese sumo is easier than Mongolian 
sumo, which recognizes over 700 different ways of winning a bout," he said.

Some criticism has been levied at Kyokushuzan for failing to reach his 
potential to become a regular yusho winner, but many critics fail to take 
into account what he has contributed to the sport.

Aside from being the first Mongolian grappler in Makuuchi, Kyokushuzan 
continues to nurture the hordes of his compatriots who are breathing new 
life into Japan's national sport.

Kyokushuzan continues to act as a father figure for the many young Mongolian 
grapplers who make their way here to try their hand at sumo. Kyokushuzan 
paved the way for what has become sumo's largest foreign contingent, with 32 
Mongolians now in the various sumo divisions, including Yokozuna Asashoryu, 
Komusubi Kyokutenho and Kyokutenzan in the Juryo division. Though he won't 
admit it, caring for these charges could have drained energies better spent 
pursuing personal goals.

A hero in his homeland, Kyokushuzan also works tirelessly on behalf of 
Mongolia, serving the country in a number of ways including acting as a 
tourism ambassador and Japan representative of the Mongolian postal service.

Now nearing the twilight of his career, Kyokushuzan is aiming to set himself 
up to become a stablemaster after his retirement. Another impressive display 
in the coming tourney would certainly help him on his way.

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